DNA, Genes & Chromosomes

Function of DNA

Stores genetic information

Function of RNA

Transfers genetic information from DNA to ribosomes

rRNA role

Forms ribosomes with proteins

DNA and RNA classification

Polymers of nucleotides

Nucleotide definition

Building block made of sugar, base and phosphate

Pentose sugar definition

Five-carbon sugar

Components of a DNA nucleotide

Deoxyribose, phosphate group, organic base

DNA organic bases

Adenine, cytosine, guanine, thymine

Components of an RNA nucleotide

Ribose, phosphate group, organic base

RNA organic bases

Adenine, cytosine, guanine, uracil

Difference between ribose and deoxyribose

Ribose has one more oxygen atom

Purine bases definition

Double ring nitrogenous bases

Purine bases

Adenine and guanine

Pyrimidine bases definition

Single ring nitrogenous bases

Pyrimidine bases

Cytosine, thymine, uracil

Base unique to DNA

Thymine

Base unique to RNA

Uracil

Bond between nucleotides

Phosphodiester bond

Type of reaction forming phosphodiester bonds

Condensation reaction

Polynucleotide definition

Chain of nucleotides

DNA structure

Double helix

Number of DNA strands

Two

Bond holding DNA strands together

Hydrogen bonds

Base pairing rule

Adenine pairs with thymine, cytosine pairs with guanine

Complementary base pairing

Specific pairing between bases

RNA structure

Single stranded polynucleotide

Relative length of RNA

Short compared to DNA

Overall difference DNA vs RNA

DNA is double stranded and longer, RNA is single stranded and shorter